Jazz Articles about Francisco Aguabella

Francisco Aguabella: Ochimini

by Russ Musto
March 18, 2004

Master percussionist Francisco Aguabella has still not achieved the fame his extensive resume would seem to merit. The great conguero has played jazz with Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Henderson and Bobby Hutcherson; Latin with Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri and Mongo Santamaria; rock with Santana, Malo and The Doors; and pop with Paul Simon—but he is still unjustly unknown to most fans of any of these genres. Ochimini finds Aguabella in his perhaps best-fitting role, fronting a hot Latin jazz ensemble comprised ...

Francisco Aguabella: Ochimini

by Chris M. Slawecki
February 19, 2004

Aguabella has worn the mantle of Afro-Cuban percussion royalty for about half a century since he arrived in New York City from Matanzas, Cuba, in the late 1950s. Among the first generation of Afro-Cuban percussionists who emigrated to the States, his legend stands from his work inside and outside Latin jazz spheres: He has worked with Tjader and Machito and Eddie Palmieri, and with Carlos Santana; he’s worked with Gillespie and Nancy Wilson, with Weather Report, and Frank Sinatra, too. ...

Francisco Aguabella: Ochimini

by Jerry D'Souza
January 20, 2004

If age does not wither nor custom stale, then Francisco Aguabella drives the point home very well. Ochimini proves that he still has plenty of zest and fire which he pours into his music. Even in the quieter climes there is a slow simmer that brings in a cozy comfort. Aguabella leads the charge, and he has an exciting band that keeps the rhythm throbbing and places the solos at a level that deepens the lure.

Aguabella flies ...

Francisco Aguabella: Cubacan

by Jim Santella
May 1, 2002

Recorded earlier this year, Francisco Aguabella's latest Afro-Cuban session features an adventurous and unsung pianist, several exciting trumpeters, two lyrical trombonists, two classic woodwind aces and a solid cast of percussion. The arrangements, particularly that of Mike Turre, set the band off in a different direction. Old standards and fresh new originals are brought out into the daylight with fiesta delights in mind. The band avoids fiery exclamations, preferring mellow horns, occasional coro embellishment, and intricate solo work instead. Donald ...

Francisco Aguabella: H2O

by Jim Santella
March 1, 2000

Led by veteran conguero Francisco Aguabella, this nine-piece Latin jazz ensemble turns up the heat while making solid references to tradition. Aguabella, who was born in Cuba, immigrated to the United States in 1957 and has lived in San Francisco & Los Angeles most of the years since. His discography lists dates with everyone from Tito Puente to Weather Report and Louie Bellson. There’s even a reference to the soundtrack of French Connection II with Don Ellis.

Released this past ...